Hours and Info
April 1-September 30: 6:30am-10pm
October 1-March 31: 6:30am-8pm
Phone: 614-370-6254
Nature Center: 614-878-7106
April-September: 9am-8pm
October-March: 9am-6pm
Reservations: reservations@metroparks.net
Map & Directions
Trails
Ancient
1.7 miles
Easy to moderate – Hike – Grass and gravel
Runs alongside Big Darby Creek and loops through fields and woods while passing a reconstructed Fort Ancient mound.
Camp Chase
12.5 miles
Easy to moderate – Hike, Bike, Pets – Paved – ADA
West leg of the Ohio to Erie Trail, a multiuse recreation and transportation trail linking Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland.
Cobshell
0.9 miles
Moderate to difficult – Hike – Gravel
Hilly trail that loops through woods and features a scenic deck overlooking Big Darby Creek.
Darby Creek Greenway
5 miles
Easy – Hike, Bike, Pets – Gravel – ADA
Flat trail through the prairies and woods that intersects the two bison pastures.
Dyer Mill
3 miles
Moderate to difficult – Hike, Cross-country ski – Grass and gravel
Loops through tall grass meadows and a secluded woodlands and dips down to Little Darby Creek.
Edgewood, Lake & Prairie Way
2.3 miles
Easy – Hike, Pets – Grass
Three connected trails that pass through fields and woodlands, around a lake and alongside Big Darby Creek.
Harrier Loop, Rail Way & Teal
2.7 miles
Moderate – Hike – Grass
Three connected trails through prairies and wetlands.
Hawthorn
0.8 miles
Easy – Hike – Gravel
Loop trail in the Cedar Ridge Picnic Area.
Indian Ridge
0.6 miles
Moderate to difficult – Hike – Gravel
Runs alongside Big Darby Creek, goes through fields and woods and connects the Cobshell and Terrace trails.
Osprey Lake
0.5 miles
Easy – Hike – Grass and gravel
Loops around Osprey Lake
Riffle Run
0.2 miles
Difficult – Hike – Gravel
Steep trail down to Big Darby Creek.
Terrace
2.1 miles
Moderate to difficult – Hike – Gravel
Goes along Big Darby Creek for a ways and loops through a forest.
Turkey Foot
0.5 miles
Easy – Hike – Grass
Loop trail through the prairies and grasslands.
Wagtail
1.9 miles
Easy to moderate – Hike, Pets – Grass
Loops through the prairies.
Shelters
Reservable Shelters
Shagbark
Shelter holds 80 people, has kitchen with sink, charcoal grill, electricity, and a large serving counter. Also swing set, horseshoe pits and ADA accessible vault restrooms. Parking for 50 cars. Available All Day or Half Day.
White Oak
Shelter holds 80 people, has kitchen with sink, charcoal grills, electricity and a large serving counter for food. Also has drinking fountain, sand volleyball court with net (no balls provided), horseshoe pit, swing set, ADA accessible vault restrooms. Parking for 40 cars, with two handicap spots. Available All Day or Half Day.
Cedar Ridge Lodge
Lodge holds 72 people, has a gas fireplace, slide screen, WiFi, restrooms and a kitchen with refrigerator, stove, microwave, 30-cup coffee maker, outdoor grills and a deck overlooking Big Darby Creek. Parking for 30 cars. ADA. Available All Day only.
Non-Reservable Shelters
Indian Ridge Picnic Area
Grills, picnic tables, playfields, playground, drinking fountain, restrooms, horseshoe pits (no horseshoes available).
Three shelters: Enclosed on three sides. Each shelter seats 16, grills
One open shelter: Seating 80, four grills
One open shelter: Seating 16, one grill
Cedar Ridge Picnic Area
Picnic tables, playfields, playground, horseshoe pits (no horseshoes available), drinking water, restrooms
One small open shelter: Seats 24, two grills, two outlets
One small open shelter: Seats 16, one grill
Three shelters: Enclosed on three sides, seats 15-20, grills
Two large open shelters: Seats 64, four grills, electricity
Little Darby Day Use Area Offers
Numerous grills, tables, restrooms, trail head (ice skating is located in this area).
One shelter: Seats 48, two grills
Activities
Experienced backpackers can enjoy 10 miles of primitive backpacking trails along Big and Little Darby creeks. There are four overnight backpacking sites that are available by reservation only. For additional information and to make a reservation visit SignUpGenius.
Camp Chase
12.5 Miles – Paved
West leg of the Ohio to Erie Trail, a multiuse recreation and transportation trail linking Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland.
Darby Creek Greenway
5 Miles – Gravel
Flat trail through the prairies and woods that intersects the two bison pastures.
Access points for Big Darby and Little Darby creeks
Main Park Launch Area: 8465 Alkire Road, Galloway OH 43119
Osprey Lake: 5800 Harrisburg-Georgesville Road, Darbydale OH 43123
The Dyer Mill Ski Trail is reserved for cross-country skiing when snow conditions are right.
Anywhere along Big and Little Darby creeks
Osprey Lake: 5800 Harrisburg-Georgesville Road, Darby Dale OH 43123
Pleasant Valley Area: 9137 US Route 62, Orient OH 43146
This 800-acre area is open for small game, deer and waterfowl hunting in accordance with all Ohio DNR and Metro Parks rules and regulations. Access areas along SR 665 and Harrisburg-Georgesville and Biggart roads.
Half-acre, 16-inch-deep pond
3711 Gardner Road, Georgesville OH 43123
This 9-acre area features a ravine, creek and trees for kids and their caregivers to experience unstructured play while exercising their minds as well as their muscles. Indian Ridge Picnic Area. Last parking lot at the end of the roadway.
A 53-foot living stream flows through the center’s exhibits, stocked with creatures found in Big Darby Creek. Natural and cultural history exhibits, many of them interactive, allow visitors to enjoy learning about the wonders of nature.
NATURE CENTER HOURS:
April to September: 9am to 8pm
October to March: 9am to 6pm
PET TRAILS
Darby Creek Greenway
5 Miles – Easy – Gravel – ADA
Flat trail through the prairies and woods that intersects the two bison pastures.
Edgewood, Lake & Prairie Way
2.25 Miles – Easy – Grass
Three connected trails that pass through fields and woodlands, around a lake and alongside Big Darby Creek.
Osprey Lake Trail
0.5 Miles – Easy – Grass
Surrounds Osprey Lake.
Wagtail Trail
1.6 Miles – Easy to Moderate- Hike/Pets – Grass
Loops through the prairies.
DOG SWIMMING
Your pooch can swim in Osprey Lake and in the lake in the Pleasant Valley Area.
Domesticated dogs and cats are also permitted in picnic areas, parking lots and on roadways. Pets shall be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
Picnic areas feature shelters, picnic tables and grills, restrooms and a range of amenities that can include playfields, play equipment and horseshoe pits. These are free and available for all to use on a first come-first served basis.
